Apparatus for Watering or Treating Plants

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 1 ) for watering plants in a hanging basket or window box at a relatively high level comprises a container ( 10 ) for water pivotally carried at a distal end ( 6 ) of a shaft ( 4 ). A cap ( 27 ) secured to a discharge outlet ( 12 ) is provided with a plurality of discharge bores ( 30 ) extending therethrough for facilitating discharge of water in a sprinkle type spray from the container ( 10 ). A pivot mounting ( 14 ) having a first pivot pin ( 18 ) pivotally couples the container ( 10 ) to a shaft ( 4 ) so that the container ( 10 ) is pivotal from a first orientation illustrated in FIG.  7  inhibiting discharge of water from the container ( 10 ) to a second orientation illustrated in FIG.  8  for discharging water through the discharge outlet ( 12 ). The pivot mounting ( 14 ) is located on the container ( 10 ) relative to the centre of gravity ( 32 ) thereof so that as the shaft ( 4 ) is rotated through 180° from the orientation illustrated in FIG.  7  to that illustrated in FIG.  8 , the container ( 10 ) is pivoted from the first orientation to the second orientation.

The present invention relates to apparatus for watering or treatingplants at a relatively high level with a solution with fluid-likecharacteristics, for example, a liquid solution, such as water, a liquidfertiliser, an aqueous based insecticide solution, an aqueous basedfungicide solution, or the like.

Window boxes which contain plants and in particular, hanging basketswhich contain plants, in general, are provided at a relatively highlevel, which in certain buildings may be at a level a number of storeysof the building above ground level. In many instances such window boxes,and in particular, hanging baskets are not accessible at a leveladjacent or above the window box or hanging basket, and thus, must bewatered by a person standing on the ground. This, in general, requiresthat a person standing on the ground holding a hose which is capable ofdelivering water at a relatively high pressure directs the hose fordelivering the water upwardly so that having reached the peak of itstrajectory, the water falls onto the plants in the window box or hangingbasket. This is unsatisfactory, since it results in wetting of thebuilding adjacent the window box or hanging basket and the groundbeneath the hanging basket or window box. Indeed, where such hangingbaskets or window boxes are located on a building which fronts directlyonto a footpath, pavement or the like, watering such window boxes orhanging baskets with a hose may result in wetting of people passing byduring the watering process.

Canadian Patent Specification No. 2,247,771 of David Pelley discloses atipping watering can which is provided for watering plants in a hangingbasket or in a window box. The tipping watering can comprises an openmouth bucket pivotally carried at the distal end of an elongated shaft.A U-shaped mounting bracket is secured at the distal end of the shaft,and pivotally carries the bucket, so that the bucket can be tipped froman orientation with an open mouth of the bucket facing upwardly forretaining water in the bucket to a substantially inverted orientationfor discharging water from the bucket. The shaft onto which the bucketis pivotally mounted terminates at its opposite proximal end in a handlefor facilitating holding the shaft in one hand. An elongated leverextends parallel to the shaft from the proximal end thereof and iscoupled to the bucket for tipping the bucket for discharging watertherefrom. By gripping the handle at the proximal end of the shaft inone hand and the lever in the other hand, and moving the lever along theshaft, the bucket is pivoted on the mounting bracket for dischargingwater therefrom through the open mouth thereof to the plants in thehanging basket or the window box.

The tipping watering can disclosed in this Canadian specificationsuffers from many disadvantages. Firstly, because of the construction ofthe bucket, it is virtually impossible, if not entirely impossible, tocontrol the flow rate of water from the bucket, thus leading to waterbeing splashed onto the side of a building and the ground beneath theplants being watered. Secondly, since one hand of an individual usingthe tipping watering can is required to operate the lever for pivotingthe bucket, only one hand remains for holding the shaft on which thebucket is pivotally carried. Thus, an individual must balance theelevated bucket with one hand, which is virtually impossible, unless thevolume and weight of the bucket is relatively small. Otherwise, thebucket when elevated would sway. Thus, an individual using the tippingwatering can would have to control the swaying bucket with one handwhile trying to operate the lever with the other hand to pivot thebucket to discharge and control the rate of discharge of the water fromthe bucket. This level of co-ordination is virtually impossible toachieve. Thirdly, once the bucket has been pivoted into an orientationfor delivering water therefrom, pivoting the bucket using the lever toreturn the bucket to an orientation for inhibiting further delivery ofwater from the bucket is also particularly difficult. Fourthly, tippingthe bucket can only be achieved by operating the actuating lever, andwhere the bucket is substantially full of water, urging the bucket intoan orientation for discharging water therefrom, as discussed above,requires a relatively high level of co-ordination, which, in general, isimpossible to achieve. Indeed, because of the relatively high level ofco-ordination required in order to tip the bucket into an orientationfor discharging water, a person operating the lever can cause imbalancein the apparatus, thus leading to toppling of the apparatus.

There is therefore a need for apparatus for watering or treating plantsat a relatively high level with water or a solution having fluid-likecharacteristics which overcome the problems of the prior art.

The present invention is directed towards providing apparatus forwatering or treating plants with water or a solution having fluid-likecharacteristics which addresses the problems of known apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for watering ortreating plants at a relatively high level with water or a solution withfluid-like characteristics, the apparatus comprising an elongated shaftdefining a main central axis and extending from a proximal end to adistal end, a container defining a hollow interior region for water orthe solution and having a discharge outlet for accommodating the wateror solution from the hollow interior region therethrough, a mountingmeans for mounting the container on the shaft at the distal end thereofso that the container is moveable between a first orientation forinhibiting discharge of water or the solution through the dischargeoutlet and a second orientation for facilitating discharge of water orthe solution through the discharge outlet, the mounting means beinglocated on the container relative to the centre of gravity thereof, sothat when the shaft is inclined upwardly towards the distal end thereofrelative to the horizontal, and the container is in one of the first andsecond orientations, rotation of the shaft about the main central axisthrough approximately 180° tips the container from one of the first andsecond orientations to the other one of the first and secondorientations.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting means mounts thecontainer on the shaft so that the container is in a first stableequilibrium state in the first orientation. Preferably, the mountingmeans mounts the container on the shaft so that the container is in asecond stable equilibrium state in the second orientation.Advantageously, the mounting means mounts the container to the shaft sothat the container passes through an unstable equilibrium state betweenthe first orientation and the second orientation.

In another embodiment of the invention the container is tippable fromone of the first and second orientations to the other one of the firstand second orientations by rotating the shaft through approximately 180°while the shaft is inclined at an angle to the horizontal in the rangeof 40° to 80°. Preferably, the container is tippable from one of thefirst and second orientations to the other one of the first and secondorientations by rotating the shaft through approximately 180° while theshaft is inclined at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 50° to80°. Advantageously, the container is tippable from one of the first andsecond orientations to the other one of the first and secondorientations by rotating the shaft through approximately 180° while theshaft is inclined at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 60° to80°.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting means is a pivotalmounting means defining a pivot axis about which the container ispivotal between the first and second orientations. Preferably, the pivotaxis extends substantially horizontally when the container is in one ofthe first and second orientations.

Preferably, the pivot axis is located close to but spaced apart from thecentre of gravity of the container. Advantageously, the containerdefines a longitudinally extending central axis, and the centre ofgravity of the container is located on the central axis of thecontainer, and the pivot axis is located close to the central axis ofthe container. Ideally, the mounting means is located in a recess formedin a shell of the container.

Alternatively, the mounting means comprises a linkage mechanism formounting the container on the shaft. Preferably, the linkage mechanismcomprises a pair of link members pivotally connected to the shaft byspaced apart first pivot mountings, and pivotally connected to thecontainer by spaced apart second pivot mountings, the link memberscrossing each other as they extend between the corresponding first andsecond pivot mountings. Advantageously, the first and second pivotmountings define respective first and second pivot axes extendingparallel to each other.

Preferably, the mounting means mounts the container on the shaft so thatthe locus of travel of the centre of gravity of the container extendsapproximately 180° around the main central axis as the shaft is beingrotated about the main central axis.

In another embodiment of the invention a nudging means is provided fornudging the container from the first orientation to the secondorientation. Preferably, the nudging means nudges the container past theunstable equilibrium state. Advantageously, the nudging means is locatedadjacent the distal end of the shaft, and is operable remotely by anoperating means located adjacent the proximal end of the shaft. Ideally,the nudging means is pivotally mounted on the shaft.

In one embodiment of the invention the nudging means comprises a nudginglever extending between a container engaging end for engaging thecontainer for nudging the container from the first to the secondorientation, and an operating end. Advantageously, the operating end ofthe nudging lever is adapted for coupling to the operating means.

In another embodiment of the invention an urging means is provided forurging the container into the first orientation. Preferably, the urgingmeans comprises a tension spring acting between the container and theshaft.

In another embodiment of the invention the container comprises a bulbousportion terminating in a neck defining the discharge outlet. Preferably,the container tapers inwardly from the bulbous portion thereof towardsthe neck. Advantageously, a nozzle is provided adjacent the dischargeoutlet through which the water or solution is delivered from the hollowinterior region. Ideally, the nozzle comprises a nozzle plate having aplurality of spaced apart bores extending therethrough so that the wateror solution is discharged through the nozzle in the form of a sprinkletype spray.

In another embodiment of the invention an air vent is provided to thehollow interior region for accommodating air into the hollow interiorregion during discharge of water or the solution therefrom.

In another embodiment of the invention the air vent is fitted with anon-return valve for admitting air into the hollow interior region.

Preferably, the shaft terminates at its proximal end in a handle forgripping thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus is adapted for treatingthe plants with a liquid solution.

The invention also provides apparatus for watering or treating plants ata relatively high level with water or a solution with fluid-likecharacteristics, the apparatus comprising an elongated shaft extendingfrom a proximal end to a distal end, a container defining a hollowinterior region for water or the solution and having a discharge outletfor accommodating water or the solution from the hollow interior regiontherethrough, a mounting means for mounting the container on the shaftat the distal end thereof so that the container is moveable between afirst orientation for inhibiting discharge of the water or solutionthrough the discharge outlet, and a second orientation for facilitatingdischarge of the water or solution through the discharge outlet, anurging means for urging the container into one of the first and secondorientations, and an actuating means for urging the container from theone of the first and second orientation into which the container isurged by the urging means to the other one of the first and secondorientations.

Preferably, the urging means urges the container into the firstorientation, and the actuating means is provided for urging thecontainer from the first orientation to the second orientation.Advantageously, the urging means is a resilient urging means. Ideally,the urging means comprises a spring acting between the container and theshaft, and preferably, the urging means comprises a tension spring.

Preferably, the actuating means is manually operable remotely of thecontainer. Advantageously, the actuating means comprises a pull cord.Ideally, the pull cord is coupled to the container. Preferably, the pullcord extends from the container to the proximal end of the shaft, andideally, the pull cord is coupled to the shaft adjacent the proximal endthereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting means is a pivotalmounting means defining a pivot axis about which the container ispivotal between the first and second orientations. Preferably, the pivotaxis extends substantially horizontally when the container is in one ofthe first and second orientations. Advantageously, the pivot axis islocated close to but spaced apart from the centre of gravity of thecontainer. Preferably, the container defines a longitudinally extendingcentral axis, and the centre of gravity of the container is located onthe central axis of the container, and the pivot axis is located closeto the central axis of the container. Ideally, the mounting means islocated in a recess formed in a shell of the container.

The advantages of the invention are many. The invention providesapparatus for watering plants at a relatively high level, which isrelatively simple to use by a person standing on the ground with littleeffort being required, and adequately waters the plants with the minimumof water spill, and in general, with no water spill. By pivotallycoupling the container to the shaft of the apparatus, a relativelysimple and easy to use apparatus is provided, which can also berelatively easily and inexpensively manufactured.

The provision of the nudging means facilitates operating the apparatuswhen the angle at which the shaft is inclined upwardly to the horizontalis relatively large, and is particularly useful when the apparatus isbeing used for watering or treating plants in a relatively high hangingbasket or window box.

By providing the apparatus with an urging means for urging the containerinto the first orientation and an actuating means for urging thecontainer from the first to the second orientation provides apparatuswhich can be used for watering plants at a higher level than is possiblewith the apparatus which does not include the urging means and theactuating means. However, the provision of the actuating means and theurging means does add somewhat to the complexity of the apparatus, andtherefore in many cases the apparatus without the urging means and theactuating means is adequate for watering plants at a relatively highlevel, but lower than the level at which plants can be watered with theapparatus which comprises the urging and actuating means.

A further advantage of the invention is achieved by providing thecontainer with a bulbous portion which tapers inwardly to a neck whichdefines the discharge outlet. The provision of the bulbous portionprovides the container with a relatively large capacity for water orother plant treatment solutions, and by tapering the container from thebulbous portion to the neck, which in turn defines the discharge outlet,allows the flow rate of water from the container to be relatively easilycontrolled and accurately directed when the container is in the secondorientation and also allows the container to be relatively accuratelypositioned.

By providing the nozzle with a plurality of spaced apart bores, waterand other such plant treatment solutions are discharged from thecontainer in the form of a sprinkle type spray. Additionally, bytapering the container from the bulbous portion to the neck results in acontainer which requires the minimum angular movement between the firstorientation whereby discharge of water is inhibited and the secondorientation for facilitating discharge of water therefrom. The provisionof the container tapering to a neck which defines the discharge outletfacilitates relatively accurate direction of water to the plants,thereby minimising and in most cases eliminating spillage.

A further advantage of the invention is achieved by virtue of the factthat the apparatus can be readily easily controlled, and furthermore, byvirtue of the fact that the container can readily easily be operatedbetween the first and second orientations by merely rotating the shaftthrough approximately 180°, the flow of water or other solution from thecontainer can be readily easily activated and deactivated, andtherefore, the volume of water discharged can be readily easilycontrolled. This is a particular advantage when one is watering hangingbaskets or window boxes when the soil is relatively hard, since itallows initially a small volume of water to be discharged into thehanging basket or window box to allow softening of the soil, and thensubsequently by degrees the volume of water discharged into the hangingbasket or window box can be progressively increased. Thus, a personwatering a hanging basket or a window box in which the soil isrelatively hard and dry can use the apparatus at intervals for wateringthe hanging basket or window box, and as the soil becomes moist andsoftens, the volume of water discharged into the hanging basket orwindow box can be progressively increased.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus according to theinvention for watering plants,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an underneath plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG.1,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portion of FIG. 4 of the apparatusof FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a partly cutaway perspective view of the portion of FIG. 4 ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1illustrating a portion of the apparatus in one orientation,

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1illustrating the portion of the apparatus in a different orientation tothat of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the invention for watering plants,

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the invention for watering plants,

FIG. 11 is a partly sectional side elevational view of the apparatus ofFIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention for watering plants,

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the invention for watering plants,

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 13illustrating a portion of the apparatus in a different orientation,

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of apparatus according to a furtherembodiment of the invention for watering plants,

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 15illustrating a portion of the apparatus in a different orientation, and

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of apparatus according to a stillfurther embodiment of the invention for watering plants.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 to 8 thereof, thereis illustrated apparatus according to the invention, indicated generallyby the reference numeral 1, for watering plants at a relatively highlevel, for example, plants in a hanging basket 2, which is illustratedin FIG. 8, a window box or the like. The apparatus 1 is also suitablefor treating the plants with a liquid solution, for example, afertiliser, an aqueous based insecticide solution, an aqueous basedfungicide solution or the like. The apparatus 1 comprises an elongatedshaft 4 which extends from a proximal end 5 to a distal end 6 anddefines a main central axis 7. A container 10 formed by a shell 9defines a hollow interior region 11 for water or other liquid solution,and a discharge outlet 12 accommodates water from the hollow interiorregion 11. A mounting means provided by a pivot mounting 14 pivotallycouples the container 10 to the distal end 6 of the shaft 4, so that thecontainer 10 is pivotal between a first orientation illustrated in FIG.7 for inhibiting discharge of water from the container 10 and a secondorientation illustrated in FIG. 8 for facilitating discharge of waterfrom the container 10, as will be described in more detail below. Theproximal end 5 of the shaft 4 forms a handle portion 13 for holding theapparatus 1 during watering of plants.

The pivot mounting 14 comprises a tubular mounting member 15 mounted onthe distal end 6 of the shaft 4, and terminating in spaced apart sidelugs 16, which define a slot 17 therebetween. A pivot pin 18 carried inthe side lugs 16 extends across the slot 17 and pivotally engages apivot bore (not shown) in a plate member 19 located in a recess 20formed in the shell 9 of the container 10. The pivot pin 18 defines apivot axis 21 about which the container 10 is pivotal between the firstand second orientations. A first abutment 22 and a second abutment 23,both of which are formed by the shell 9 of the container 10 in therecess 20 limit the pivotal movement of the container 10 about the pivotpin 18 between the first and second orientations so that the tubularmounting member 15 abuts the first abutment 22 when the container is inthe first orientation for retaining the container 10 in a first stableequilibrium state in the first orientation, and abuts the secondabutment 23 when the container 10 is in the second orientation forretaining the container 10 in a second stable equilibrium state in thesecond orientation. A bore 24 extending into the tubular mounting member15 engages the distal end 6 of the shaft 4 for pivotally securing thecontainer 10 to the shaft 4.

The shell 9 of the container 10 forms a bulbous portion 25 which tapersinwardly towards a neck 26 which defines the discharge outlet 12. A cap27 is releasably engageable with an outer portion (not shown) of theneck 26, and comprises a discharge plate 29 having a plurality ofdischarge bores 30 extending therethrough for accommodating water andother liquid solutions from the hollow interior region 11 in the form ofa sprinkle type spray, see FIG. 8. The end cap 27 engages the peripheralportion of the neck 26 with a snap-fit action for facilitating removalof the cap 27 for filling the container 10.

The container 10 defines a longitudinally extending central axis 31, andwhen empty defines the centre of gravity 32 on the central axis 31. Thecontainer 10 is mounted by the pivot mounting 14 to the shaft 4 so thatwhen the shaft 4 is inclined at an angle α to the horizontal up toapproximately 60° with the pivot axis 21 extending horizontally, byrotating the shaft 4 about the main central axis 7 through 180°, thecontainer 10 is pivoted about the pivot axis 21 from one of the firstand second orientations to the other of the first and secondorientations, see FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7 the apparatus 1 isillustrated with the shaft 4 at an angle of approximately 60° to thehorizontal and the pivot axis 21 extending horizontally. The container10 in FIG. 7 is illustrated in the first stable equilibrium state in thefirst orientation with the centre of gravity 32 located to one side of avertical plane 35 containing the pivot axis 21 away from the shaft 4,thus maintaining the container 10 in the first orientation with thedischarge outlet 12 facing upwardly, inhibiting discharge of watertherefrom. In FIG. 8 the shaft 4 still extending at an angle α ofapproximately 60° to the horizontal has been rotated throughapproximately 180°, with the pivot axis 21 again extending horizontallyand with the container 10 in the second stable equilibrium state in thesecond orientation for facilitating the discharge of water through thedischarge outlet 12. In FIG. 8 the centre of gravity 32 of the container10 has been displaced and again lies to one side of the vertical plane35 containing the pivot axis 21 on the side away from the shaft 4.

As the shaft 4 is being rotated through approximately 180° about themain central axis 7 of the shaft 4, the centre of gravity 32 of thecontainer 10 is rotated about the main central axis 7 through 180°approximately, thereby resulting in the container 10 going into anunstable equilibrium state, and as the rotation of the shaft 4 about themain central axis 7 approaches 180°, the position of the centre ofgravity 32 of the container 10 causes the container 10 to pivot aboutthe pivot axis 21 from the one of the first and second orientations intothe other of the first and second orientations.

It has been found that by recessing the pivot mounting 14 into the shell9 of the container 10 so that the pivot axis 21 about which thecontainer 10 is pivotal relative to the shaft 4 is located relativelyclosely to the central axis 31 of the container 10, while at the sametime being spaced apart from the centre of gravity 32 provides arelatively smooth transition of the container 10 between the first andsecond orientations thereof, and in particular minimises andsubstantially avoids any strong impacting of the first and secondabutments 22 and 23 by the tubular mounting member 15 of the shaft 4 asthe container 10 is approaching the first and second orientations.

Two air vents 36 are provided by respective bores of 2 mm diameterapproximately through the shell 9 of the container 10 adjacent the neck26 for accommodating air into the hollow interior region 11 of thecontainer 10 during discharge of water or other solution therefrom.

In use, with the shaft 4 held substantially horizontally and orientatedso that the container 10 is orientated with the discharge outlet facingupwardly, the cap 27 is removed from the neck 26, and the container 10is filled with water or other liquid solution with which plants are tobe treated. The cap 27 is then secured to the neck 26, and the apparatus1 is ready for watering or treating the plants. With the shaft 4extending horizontally, the pivot axis 21 extending horizontally and thecontainer 10 in the orientation with the discharge outlet 12 facingupwardly, the shaft 4 is angled upwardly in the direction of the arrowsA of FIG. 7 until the shaft 4 extends substantially at the angle α of60° to the horizontal, and the container 10 is at a level above andadjacent the hanging basket 2 to be watered. In this position thecontainer 10 is in the first orientation in the first stable equilibriumstate, thereby preventing discharge of water from the container 10. Towater or treat the plants in the basket 2, the shaft 4 is rotated aboutthe main central axis 7 in the direction of the arrows B through anangle of approximately 180°, see FIG. 8, and as the shaft 4 is beingrotated, the container 10 is urged from the first orientation in thefirst stable equilibrium state to the second orientation into the secondstable equilibrium state as the centre of gravity 32 of the container 10is rotated about the main central axis 7 of the shaft 4. In the secondorientation of the container 10, see FIG. 8, water is dischargedtherefrom in a sprinkle type spray through the bores 30 in the dischargeplate 29 of the cap 27 for watering the plants.

When watering has been completed, the shaft 4 is again rotated about themain central axis through approximately 180°, and as the shaft 4 isbeing rotated, the centre of gravity 32 is rotated through 180° aboutthe main central axis 7, thereby causing the container 10 to be urgedfrom the second orientation back to the first orientation. In the firstorientation water is again prevented from being discharged through thedischarge outlet 12 and the apparatus 1 may then be moved to the nexthanging basket or window box to be watered and the operation repeatedagain.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated apparatus 40 according toanother embodiment of the invention also for watering plants or treatingsuch plants with a liquid solution at a relatively high level in, forexample, a hanging basket, window box or the like. The apparatus 40 issubstantially similar to the apparatus 1 and similar components areidentified by the same reference numerals. The only difference betweenthe apparatus 40 and the apparatus 1 is that a nudging means provided bya nudging lever 42 which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 4 is providedfor nudging the container 10 from the first orientation to the secondorientation as the shaft 4 is being rotated about the main central axis7 through 180°. The nudging lever 42 is pivotally coupled to the shaft 4by a pivot pin 43 which defines a pivot axis 44 which extends parallelto the pivot axis 21 of the pivot pin 18. The nudging lever 42 extendsbetween a container engaging end 45 which engages the bulbous portion 25of the container 10 for tipping the container 10 from the first to thesecond orientation, and an operating end 46. An operating means, namely,a pull cord 47 is coupled to the operating end 46 of the nudging lever42 and is anchored to the shaft 4 adjacent the handle 13 at the proximalend 5 thereof for facilitating remote operation of the nudging lever 42for tipping the container 10 from the first orientation to the secondorientation as the shaft is being rotated-through 180°.

Use of the apparatus 40 is similar to that of the apparatus 1, with theexception that as the shaft 4 is being rotated through 180° about themain central axis 7 for urging the container 10 from the first to thesecond orientation, the pull cord 47 is pulled downwardly to operate thenudging lever 42 for nudging the container 10 from the first to thesecond orientation. Otherwise, the apparatus 40 and its use is similarto that of the apparatus 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is illustrated apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally bythe reference numeral 50, for watering or treating plants with a liquidsolution at a relatively high level. The apparatus 50 is substantiallysimilar to the apparatus 1 and similar components are identified by thesame reference numerals. The main difference between the apparatus 50and the apparatus 1 is in the pivot mounting 14 of the container 10 tothe shaft 4. In this embodiment of the invention a socket 51 is formedin the shell 9 of the container 10 which defines a pair of side walls 52joined by first and second end walls 53 and 54, respectively. The pivotpin 18 is carried in the side walls 52 and extends between the sidewalls 52 across the socket 51 for engaging a pivot bore 55 in the distalend 6 of the shaft 4. The first end wall 53 acts as a first abutment forengaging the distal end 6 of the shaft 4 when the container 10 in thefirst orientation, while the second end wall 54 acts as a secondabutment for engaging the distal end 5 of the shaft 4 when the container10 is in the second orientation.

Otherwise the apparatus 50 and its use is similar to that of theapparatus 1.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated apparatus according toanother embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by thereference numeral 60, also for watering or treating plants in a hangingbasket, window box or the like. The apparatus 60 is substantiallysimilar to the apparatus 1 and similar components are identified by thesame reference numerals. The main difference between the apparatus 60and the apparatus 1 is in the pivot mounting 14 of the container 10 tothe shaft 4. In this embodiment of the invention the container 10 ispivotally coupled to the shaft 4 by a ball and socket type coupling 61.A socket 62 of the ball and socket coupling 61 is mounted on the distalend 6 of the shaft 4, while a ball 63 of the ball and socket coupling 61engageable with the socket 62 extends from the container 10 in a recess64 thereof.

Otherwise, the apparatus 60 and its use is similar to that of theapparatus 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is illustrated apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally bythe reference numeral 70, also for watering plants in a hanging basket,window box or the like. The apparatus 70 is substantially similar to theapparatus 1 and similar components are identified by the same referencenumerals. The main difference between the apparatus 70 and the apparatus1 is in the mounting of the container 10 to the shaft 4. In thisembodiment of the invention the container 10 is mounted on the distalend 6 of the shaft 4 by a linkage mechanism, which comprises a pair oflink members 71 which are pivotally coupled to the shaft 4 by spacedapart first pivot mountings 72 at the distal end 6 of the shaft 4 andare pivotally coupled to the container 10 by spaced apart second pivotmountings 73 on the container 10. The link members 71 cross each otherbetween the first and second pivot mountings 72 and 73, so that thecontainer 10 is constrained to move between the first and secondorientation with a tipping type action.

Otherwise, the apparatus 70 and its use is similar to the apparatus 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is illustrated apparatusaccording to a still further embodiment of the invention, indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 80, also for watering and treatingplants in a hanging basket or window box or the like. The apparatus 80is substantially similar to the apparatus 1 and similar components areidentified by the same reference numerals. The main difference betweenthe apparatus 80 and the apparatus 1 is in the mounting arrangement formounting the apparatus 80 to the distal end 6 of the shaft 4. In thisembodiment of the invention the container 10 is loosely coupled to theshaft 4 by wires 81 and 82, so that the container 10 can move betweenthe first and second orientations while the wires 81 and 82 retain andhold the container 10 to the shaft 4.

Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated apparatus according to astill further embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by thereference numeral 90, also for watering plants in a hanging basket or awindow box. The apparatus 90 is substantially similar to the apparatus 1and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. Inthis embodiment of the invention the container 10 is pivotally coupledto the shaft 4 by a pivot mounting 14 which is similar to the pivotmounting 14 of the apparatus 50. However, the container 10 is urged byan urging means provided by a tension spring 91 into the firstorientation. The tension spring 91 is coupled to the container 10 at 96and to the shaft 4 at 97.

An actuating means comprising a pull cord 92 coupled between a mounting93 on the shaft 4 adjacent the handle 13 and a mounting 95 on thecontainer 10 is provided for urging the container 10 against the springaction from the first orientation to the second orientation for wateringplants in a hanging basket 2 or a window box. Since the container 10 inthis embodiment of the invention is urged into the first orientation bythe tension spring 91, and is manually urged from the first orientationto the second orientation by the pull cord 92, the location of thecentre of gravity in the container is not important, and may be locatedanywhere in the container, relative to the shaft 4 and the main centralaxis 7. However, in order to balance the container 10 on the shaft 4 andto minimise the effort required to urge the container 10 from the firstto the second orientation, it is desirable that the pivot axis 21 aboutwhich the container 10 pivots between the first and the secondorientations is located relatively closely to the centre of gravity ofthe container 10.

In use, with the container 10 charged with water or other treatingsolution, the shaft 4 is angled upwardly with the container 10 in thefirst orientation until the container 10 is at a level above the hangingbasket or window box, the plants of which are to be watered or treated.The pull cord 92 is pulled downwardly for urging the container 10 fromthe first orientation to the second orientation, and pull is retained onthe pull cord 92 for retaining the container 10 in the secondorientation until the plants in the hanging basket or window box havebeen adequately watered or treated. On completion of watering, the pullcord 92 is gradually released, thereby permitting the container 10 topivot from the first to the second orientation under the action of thetension spring 91.

Since the apparatus 90 is provided with the tension spring 91 for urgingand retaining the container 10 in the first orientation, and the pullcord 92 for urging the container 10 against the action of the tensionspring 91 into the second orientation, there is no need to rotate theshaft 4 through 180° about the main central axis 7 in order to causepivoting of the container 10 from the first to the second orientation.

Although in this embodiment of the invention the pivot pin 18 and inturn the pivot axis 21 about which the container 10 is pivotal on theshaft 4 is illustrated as being spaced apart quite a distance from thecentre line 31 and in turn from the centre of gravity of the container10, in practice it is desirable that the pivot mounting 14 should belocated in a recess in the shell 9 of the container 10, similar to therecess 20 in the container 10 of the apparatus 1, in order that thepivot axis 21 should be relatively close to the centre line 31 and alsoto the centre of gravity of the container 10 to smooth the transition ofthe container 10 between the first and second orientations. Indeed, inthis embodiment of the invention since the container 10 is urged intothe first orientation by the tension spring 91 and is urged into thesecond orientation by the pull cord 92, the pivot axis 21 of the pivotmounting 14 could coincide with the centre of gravity 32 of thecontainer 10.

Since in the embodiments of the invention described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 17, the pull cords 47 and 92 of the respective apparatus 40and 90 are anchored to the shaft 4 adjacent the handle 13, the handle 13of both apparatus 40 and 90 can be gripped by both hands of anindividual using the apparatus, while simultaneously pulling the pullcord 47 and 49, as the case may be, with, for example, a finger of oneof the hands gripping the handle, thereby avoiding any danger oftoppling of the apparatus due to imbalance when the container 10 iselevated.

While the apparatus have been described with the containers as beingprovided with one or more specific types of air vents, it will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art that any other types of airvents may be provided. Indeed, it is envisaged that in many cases anon-return valve may be located in the air vent or air vents, whichwould admit air into the hollow interior region of the container 10during discharge of water therefrom, and prevent reverse flow of air orwater through the air vent.

It is also envisaged that instead of locating the air vent adjacent theneck of the container, the air vent may be provided towards the end ofthe bulbous part of the container or at the top thereof, and acommunicating tube communicating with the air vent would extend from theair vent and terminate in a vent opening adjacent the neck of thecontainer. By so arranging the communicating tube extending from the airvent, leakage of water or other solution from the container would beavoided, and in particular, air would be drawn into the hollow interiorregion without bubbling through the water or other solution in thecontainer, thereby facilitating discharge of the water or other solutionfrom the container in a smooth sprinkle type spray.

While the apparatus has been described for use while the shaft is heldat an angle of approximately 60° to the horizontal, it will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus may be operatedby holding the shaft at any suitable angle to the horizontal, however,it is envisaged that optimum results are achieved when the apparatus isoperated with the shaft extending at an angle between 40° and 80° to thehorizontal.

1-58. (canceled)
 59. Apparatus for watering or treating plants at arelatively high level with water or a solution with fluid-likecharacteristics, the apparatus comprising an elongated shaft defining amain central axis and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, acontainer defining a hollow interior region for water or the solutionand having a discharge outlet for accommodating the water or solutionfrom the hollow interior region therethrough, a mounting means formounting the container on the shaft at the distal end thereof so thatthe container is moveable between a first orientation for inhibitingdischarge of water or the solution through the discharge outlet and asecond orientation for facilitating discharge of water or the solutionthrough the discharge outlet, the mounting means being located on thecontainer relative to the centre of gravity thereof, so that when theshaft is inclined upwardly towards the distal end thereof relative tothe horizontal, and the container is in one of the first and secondorientations, rotation of the shaft about the main central axis throughapproximately 180° tips the container from one of the first and secondorientations to the other one of the first and second orientations. 60.Apparatus as claimed in claim 59 in which the mounting means mounts thecontainer on the shaft so that the container is in a first stableequilibrium state in the first orientation, and preferably, the mountingmeans mounts the container on the shaft so that the container is in asecond stable equilibrium state in the second orientation, andadvantageously, the mounting means mounts the container to the shaft sothat the container passes through an unstable equilibrium state betweenthe first orientation and the second orientation.
 61. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 59 in which the container is tippable from one of thefirst and second orientations to the other one of the first and secondorientations by rotating the shaft through approximately 180° while theshaft is inclined at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 40° to80°, and preferably, the container is tippable from one of the first andsecond orientations to the other one of the first and secondorientations by rotating the shaft through approximately 180° while theshaft is inclined at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 50° to80°, and advantageously, the container is tippable from one of the firstand second orientations to the other one of the first and secondorientations by rotating the shaft through approximately 180° while theshaft is inclined at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 60° to80°.
 62. Apparatus as claimed in claim 59 in which the mounting means isa pivotal mounting means defining a pivot axis about which the containeris pivotal between the first and second orientations, and preferably,the pivot axis extends substantially horizontally when the container isin one of the first and second orientations, and advantageously, thepivot axis is located close to but spaced apart from the centre ofgravity of the container.
 63. Apparatus as claimed in claim 62 in whichthe container defines a longitudinally extending central axis, and thecentre of gravity of the container is located on the central axis of thecontainer, and the pivot axis is located close to the central axis ofthe container, and preferably, the mounting means is located in a recessformed in a shell of the container.
 64. Apparatus as claimed in claim 59in which the mounting means comprises a linkage mechanism for mountingthe container on the shaft, and preferably, the linkage mechanismcomprises a pair of link members pivotally connected to the shaft byspaced apart first pivot mountings, and pivotally connected to thecontainer by spaced apart second pivot mountings, the link memberscrossing each other as they extend between the corresponding first andsecond pivot mountings, and preferably, the first and second pivotmountings define respective first and second pivot axes extendingparallel to each other.
 65. Apparatus as claimed in claim 59 in whichthe mounting means mounts the container on the shaft so that the locusof travel of the centre of gravity of the container extendsapproximately 180° around the main central axis as the shaft is beingrotated about the main central axis.
 66. Apparatus as claimed in claim59 in which a nudging means is provided for nudging the container fromthe first orientation to the second orientation, and advantageously, thenudging means nudges the container past the unstable equilibrium state,and preferably, the nudging means is located adjacent the distal end ofthe shaft, and is operable remotely by an operating means locatedadjacent the proximal end of the shaft, and advantageously, the nudgingmeans is pivotally mounted on the shaft, and preferably, the nudgingmeans comprises a nudging lever extending between a container engagingend for engaging the container for nudging the container from the firstto the second orientation, and an operating end, and advantageously, theoperating end of the nudging lever is adapted for coupling to theoperating means.
 67. Apparatus as claimed in claim 59 in which an urgingmeans is provided for urging the container into the first orientation,and preferably, the urging means comprises a tension spring actingbetween the container and the shaft.
 68. Apparatus as claimed in claim59 in which the container comprises a bulbous portion terminating in aneck defining the discharge outlet, and preferably, the container tapersinwardly from the bulbous portion thereof towards the neck. 69.Apparatus as claimed in claim 59 in which a nozzle is provided adjacentthe discharge outlet through which the water or solution is deliveredfrom the hollow interior region, and preferably, the nozzle comprises anozzle plate having a plurality of spaced apart bores extendingtherethrough so that the water or solution is discharged through thenozzle in the form of a sprinkle type spray, and advantageously, an airvent is provided to the hollow interior region for accommodating airinto the hollow interior region during discharge of water or thesolution therefrom, and preferably, the air vent is fitted with anon-return valve for admitting air into the hollow interior region. 70.Apparatus as claimed in claim 59 in which the shaft terminates at itsproximal end in a handle for gripping thereof, and preferably, theapparatus is adapted for treating the plants with a liquid solution. 71.Apparatus for watering or treating plants at a relatively high levelwith water or a solution with fluid-like characteristics, the apparatuscomprising an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distalend, a container defining a hollow interior region for water or thesolution and having a discharge outlet for accommodating water or thesolution from the hollow interior region therethrough, a mounting meansfor mounting the container on the shaft at the distal end thereof sothat the container is moveable between a first orientation forinhibiting discharge of the water or solution through the dischargeoutlet, and a second orientation for facilitating discharge of the wateror solution through the discharge outlet, an urging means for urging thecontainer into one of the first and second orientations, and anactuating means for urging the container from the one of the first andsecond orientation into which the container is urged by the urging meansto the other one of the first and second orientations.
 72. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 71 in which the urging means urges the container intothe first orientation, and the actuating means is provided for urgingthe container from the first orientation to the second orientation, andadvantageously, the urging means is a resilient urging means, andpreferably, the urging means comprises a spring acting between thecontainer and the shaft, and advantageously, the urging means comprisesa tension spring.
 73. Apparatus as claimed in claim 71 in which theactuating means is manually operable remotely of the container, andpreferably, the actuating means comprises a pull cord, and preferably,the pull cord is coupled to the container, and advantageously, the pullcord extends from the container to the proximal end of the shaft, andpreferably, the pull cord is coupled to the shaft adjacent the proximalend thereof.
 74. Apparatus as claimed in claim 73 in which the mountingmeans is a pivotal mounting means defining a pivot axis about which thecontainer is pivotal between the first and second orientations, andpreferably, the pivot axis extends substantially horizontally when thecontainer is in one of the first and second orientations, andadvantageously, the pivot axis is located close to but spaced apart fromthe centre of gravity of the container.
 75. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 74 in which the container defines a longitudinally extendingcentral axis, and the centre of gravity of the container is located onthe central axis of the container, and the pivot axis is located closeto the central axis of the container, and preferably, the mounting meansis located in a recess formed in a shell of the container.
 76. Apparatusas claimed in claim 73 in which the mounting means comprises a linkagemechanism for mounting the container on the shaft, and preferably, thelinkage mechanism comprises a pair of link members pivotally connectedto the shaft by spaced apart first pivot mountings, and pivotallyconnected to the container by spaced apart second pivot mountings, thelink members crossing each other as they extend between thecorresponding first and second pivot mountings, and preferably, thefirst and second pivot mountings define respective first and secondpivot axes extending parallel to each other.
 77. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 71 in which the container comprises a bulbous portion terminatingin a neck defining the discharge outlet, and preferably, the containertapers inwardly from the bulbous portion thereof towards the neck, andadvantageously, a nozzle is provided adjacent the discharge outletthrough which the water or solution is delivered from the hollowinterior region, and preferably, the nozzle comprises a nozzle platehaving a plurality of spaced apart bores extending therethrough so thatthe water or solution is discharged through the nozzle in the form of asprinkle type spray, and preferably, an air vent is provided to thehollow interior region for accommodating air into the hollow interiorregion during discharge of the water or solution therefrom, andpreferably, the air vent is fitted with a non-return valve for admittingair into the hollow interior region.
 78. Apparatus as claimed in claim71 in which the shaft terminates at its proximal end in a handle forgripping thereof, and preferably, the apparatus is adapted for treatingthe plants with a liquid solution.